Atelier Versace

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Review

Caterina Minthe

Jul 1, 2013

Supermodel, Naomi Campbell, opened Donatella Versace’s Atelier Versace catwalk to applause last night, marking the first time Campbell has walked a Versace catwalk since Gianni’s death in 1997. In its third couture collection and after a seven-year hiatus, the 32 looks adorned by Donatella Versace’s glamazons including Bette, Hanne, and Lindsey, solidified a confident return of Atelier Versace.

Haute Couture’s opening show showcased a masterful focus on skins, sparkle, and color.

Editors and front row guests such as Uma Thurman, Emma Roberts, Zachary Quinto, and Mena Suvari purred with delight at the sight of a deep crimson cropped hand-knitted top of sequined yarn mixed with hand-shredded chiffon, silk tulle, and hand-cut mink fur paired with a low waist skirt in chiffon and a crocodile devoré pattern dripping in sequins. Not to be outdone was a sapphire blue mink cardigan, hand-cut and interwoven with shredded tulle and an incalculable amount of embroidered micro sequins cut in curvy shapes and outlined with crystals. Tailored suits with a slight flare in deep purple also appeared, with micro sequins and gun metal hook and eye closures.

Characteristically of Versace, Donatella showed skin and lots of it. This included belly-baring skirts and cocktail dresses featuring slinky side openings held together with netting, and originally, panels that were left to flap open. These were all lined with Swarovski crystals to emphasize the cut. What was revealed underneath were lace and crystal-embellished bras or delicately embroidered silk tulle bustiers.

Donatella accessorized the looks with the House’s Medusa, placed front and center, either as buckles on belts cinching trench coats or as ice around the neck, as was the case for Naomi Campbell, who afterwards stated, “It was an honor to wear.” Post show, as guests mingled on the grassy garden around the corner from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, we spoke to American Beauty actress, Mena Suvari, who shared with us that should she have to choose one look, it would have been the two-toned blue fully embroidered jumpsuit, a veritable spider’s web of intricately mixed panels of tulle, net, and hand-woven leather, embellished with tiny sequins and strands of beads and crystals. If she changes her mind, we’re certain Beyoncé wouldn’t mind getting her hands on it for her current world tour. “Girls rule the world” and Donatella Versace has positioned herself as Queen of this Haute Couture week.